A Chicago area film festival aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues and sustainability is coming to Park Ridge this year.

The One Earth Film Festival will present two Park Ridge events in March: A showing of "Jane," a documentary of chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall, on March 3 at 10 a.m. at the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., and a back-to-back showing of the short film "Straws," which explores the problems of plastic pollution, and "Food for Thought, Food for Life," about the downside of current agribusiness practices, on March 10 beginning at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 306 S. Prospect Ave.

The annual festival, taking place from March 2-11, will feature 35 films shown throughout the Chicago area under the theme "This is the Moment." Films address themes from climate change and pollution to conservation and wildlife.

Go Green Park Ridge is actively promoting the festival, particularly the three films being shown in the city. Amy Bartucci of Go Green credited the the group for Park Ridge's inclusion this year.

"Go Green was a catalyst for getting films viewed by audiences here," she said.

"Ever since Go Green Park Ridge started in 2012, our mission has been to raise environmental awareness of our community," Bartucci added. "We believe by bringing these educational and thought-provoking films that are relative to our times, we can collaborate with our neighbors, schools and local businesses. We're trying to find ways for people to see the value of environmental initiatives."

The showings of "Straws" and "Food for Life" will include a resource fair prior to the films at 6 p.m., and a panel discussion at 8 p.m., Bartucci said. The resource fair will feature representatives of lawn care, gardening and composting businesses, while the panel will be facilitated by Sue Crothers of the River Forest Sustainability Commission and include representatives of Go Green, the Park Ridge Health Commission, Oakton Community College and Park Ridge League of Women Voters , Bartucci said.

The film "Straws" highlights a concern that members of Go Green are working to address. To cut down on the vast numbers of plastic straws that end up in landfills and, eventually, in oceans, a Go Green subcommittee is asking local restaurant owners and managers to reduce their use of straws by changing how they distribute them.

"The idea would be for customers to have an opportunity to have a plastic straw, but only on request," Bartucci explained.

The film "Jane" is also slated to feature a panel discussion with representatives of the Jane Goodall Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Roots and Shoots, a youth organization founded by Goodall, Bartucci said.

A full list of films and opportunities to purchase tickets can be found on the One Earth Film Festival website at www.oneearthfilmfest.org.